Comments Off on Foster + Partners DJI HQ will be a creative community in the sky

Foster + Partners have unveiled designs for the new headquarters of DJI, the makers of the world’s most popular commercial drones . Currently under construction in Shenzhen, the new building will comprise twin towers linked by a sky bridge that will be used to showcase the latest drone technology. The headquarters, conceived as a “creative community in the sky,” will not only include research and development spaces, but will also engage the public with exhibition spaces and even robot fighting rings. Envisioned as the “heart of innovation” for DJI, the new Shenzhen headquarters takes inspiration from drones with its glass-enclosed forms that evoke lightness. Large steel megatrusses anchor the twin towers and allow for large, column-free spaces throughout. Floating volumes are cantilevered on all sides of the building and comprise offices, R&D space, and other public functions. Related: Foster + Partners’ Bloomberg HQ opens in London as “world’s most sustainable office building” “Our aim is to create a unique workplace environment that embodies the spirit of invention and innovation that has allowed DJI to lead the world in robotics and technology,” said Grant Brooker, Head of Studio of Foster + Partners. The building is optimized to test and showcase the latest drone technology, from the unique quadruple-height drone flight testing labs to the ceilings and floors that slide open for the deployment of drones outdoors. The ground floor will house a public exhibition space and a new theater for product launches. + Foster + Partners

Comments Off on UNStudio unveils Danube bridge for sustainable transit in Budapest

UNStudio has swept the competition for the New Budapest Bridge, a much-needed bridge over the Danube in the south of the city. Coated in a reflective white paint, the landmark bridge will serve as a gateway between Ujbuda and Csepel, and help spur further development in the surrounding post-industrial area. The multi-use bridge “enables sustainable transportation” and will accommodate road, tram, pedestrian, and cycle crossings. Created in collaboration with Buro Happold Engineering , the New Budapest Bridge proposal was selected by the Municipal Government of Budapest in the first international bridge design competition in Hungary for over 120 years. Conceived as a welcoming symbol, the contemporary cable-stayed bridge features angled pylons that mimic the “inviting gesture of hands,” said Ben van Berkel. “It was essential that the bridge would be in harmony with Budapest – which owes much of its configuration to the surrounding landscape – and its future vision. It was also important that the bridge enable unobstructed views below and above the bridge deck.” Related: Unusual Dutch bridge embraces flooding in a thought-provoking way With a main span of 711 feet, the bridge stretches over 1,600 feet from shore to shore. The white paint finish will reflect the surrounding environment and give the bridge an ever-changing appearance. In addition to catalyzing nearby development, the project aims to make the area around the Budafoki interchange more human and urban friendly. + UNStudio Images by VA Render

Comments Off on Foster + Partners to transform historic Madrid building into solar-powered Prado Museum addition

Foster + Partners and Rubio Arquitectura’s design beat out a shortlist of eight other proposals by practices including OMA and David Chipperfield Architects . The renovation of the Hall of Realms will create additional display space for permanent and temporary exhibitions at the Prado Museum. As one of the few surviving structures from the former 17th century Buen Retiro Palace, the Hall of Realms holds special historic significance in the city. The Hall of Realms’s magnificent and intricate interiors will be restored , while the facade will be delicately opened to let in natural light and views. These openings will transform the historic building into a more permeable, public-facing structure with connections to the new civic plaza and terrace cafes. In addition to solar panels, the new roof will be cantilevered to protect the southern facade from intense sunlight. Related: Beautifully restored 135-year-old building revives one of Delhi’s oldest markets “On behalf of the team that I led at Foster + Partners in collaboration with Rubio Arquitectura, I would like to say how honoured we are to contribute to this next phase of the expansion of the Prado – one of the truly great museums of the world,” said Lord Foster. “The Hall of Realms, built by Crescenzi and Carbonel in the 1630’s, is one of the very few remains of the former palace and predates the Museum which was conceived in 1819. Two centuries later the transformation and expansion of this historic hall will add significant new galleries and related public spaces to the Prado. It will also create, as a setting, a new urban focus for the city of Madrid.” The renovation project will be completed in time for the museum’s 200th anniversary celebrations in 2019. + Foster + Partners + Rubio Arquitectura Images via Foster + Partners

Comments Off on Apple’s new Regent Street store is filled with daylight and living trees

Apple’s new Regent Street store designed in collaboration between Foster + Partners , Jonathan Ive and Angela Ahrendts, Apple’s senior vice president of retail. Located in a nineteenth-century building with a restored Grade II-listed facade , the new interior pays homage to the area’s architectural heritage and traditional craftsmanship. Related: Apple unveils nature-filled, solar-powered future for its retail stores worldwide The tree-filled, double-height grand hall creates a kind of town square that invites people to mingle, check out the products and socialize. Accentuating transparency and accessibility, the Regent Street store is bathed in natural light which improves visual connections between the two levels. Portland stone adorns the interior of the wall facade, while luminous ceiling panels-the longest in the world, according to Apple-cover the entire ceiling. Related: Foster + Partners Unveils Istanbul’s First Apple Store The interior features a warm material palette, with stone, wood and terrazzo creating a dynamic interplay of textures. Display tables are placed along a new interactive wall display called The Avenue. The center of the space is called The Forum, where customers can learn from experts and enjoy different entertainment content. A new meeting space and Apple’s Genius Bar is located on the mezzanine level. The new store will open to customers on Saturday. + Foster + Partners

Comments Off on Breakthrough solar panel-battery hybrid captures and stores energy from the sun

What if future solar cells can capture and store solar energy at the same time? Researchers at Kogakuin University in Japan strive to do just. Their translucent lithium-ion battery-solar panel recharges itself when exposed to sunlight, fusing battery storage with renewable energy generation. This elegant design could finally trump the problem of securing effective and affordable storage. Read the rest of Breakthrough solar panel-battery hybrid captures and stores energy from the sun

Comments Off on Central China’s most populous city gets New Urban redesign by Foster + Partners

Central China’s most populous city will soon be home to a highly walkable and livable urban paradise. Foster + Partners recently received approval for their masterplan of Yuexiu International Financial City, a large and historically significant site in the heart of Wuhan city . Largely informed by Wuhan’s history, culture, and existing urban infrastructure, the masterplan will serve as a “new urban model” that features sustainable urban planning principles, including highly walkable mixed-use spaces. Read the rest of Central China’s most populous city gets New Urban redesign by Foster + Partners Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg Post tags: Foster + Partners , Luke Fox , masterplan , mixed-use , walkable , wuhan , Wuhan masterplan , Yuexiu International Financial City , Yuexiu International Financial City by Foster + Partners

Comments Off on Central China’s most populous city gets New Urban redesign by Foster + Partners

Central China’s most populous city will soon be home to a highly walkable and livable urban paradise. Foster + Partners recently received approval for their masterplan of Yuexiu International Financial City, a large and historically significant site in the heart of Wuhan city . Largely informed by Wuhan’s history, culture, and existing urban infrastructure, the masterplan will serve as a “new urban model” that features sustainable urban planning principles, including highly walkable mixed-use spaces. Read the rest of Central China’s most populous city gets New Urban redesign by Foster + Partners Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg Post tags: Foster + Partners , Luke Fox , masterplan , mixed-use , walkable , wuhan , Wuhan masterplan , Yuexiu International Financial City , Yuexiu International Financial City by Foster + Partners

Comments Off on Central China’s most populous city gets New Urban redesign by Foster + Partners

Central China’s most populous city will soon be home to a highly walkable and livable urban paradise. Foster + Partners recently received approval for their masterplan of Yuexiu International Financial City, a large and historically significant site in the heart of Wuhan city . Largely informed by Wuhan’s history, culture, and existing urban infrastructure, the masterplan will serve as a “new urban model” that features sustainable urban planning principles, including highly walkable mixed-use spaces. Read the rest of Central China’s most populous city gets New Urban redesign by Foster + Partners Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg Post tags: Foster + Partners , Luke Fox , masterplan , mixed-use , walkable , wuhan , Wuhan masterplan , Yuexiu International Financial City , Yuexiu International Financial City by Foster + Partners

Comments Off on Amazon Chooses Building by Foster + Partners as UK Home

Read the rest of Amazon Chooses Building by Foster + Partners as UK Home Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg Post tags: amazon headquarters , Amazon London , city of london , Foster+Partners , london architecture , office building London , Principal Place London , residential tower London , Roof Terrace